Chapter 17The Authentic You
Much has been written about authenticity. Too much, in fact.
Theories and quotes, books and speeches. Everyone has a view and each will claim authority. I hope mine has perspective, validity and brevity. Oscar Wilde's perfect take on this issue: ‘Be yourself, everyone else is taken’.
Crystal clear.
Oh to be Oscar Wilde; it would save a lot of time and trees.
I like this definition of authenticity: ‘Being authentic means being true to yourself through perfectly aligned thoughts, words and actions’. What you think and say in life are matched by your behaviours.
I value authenticity for three main reasons.
The first is that I want to be the best possible version of myself, and I can only do this when I am being me. I'm at my happiest when I'm at ease with who I am and the way I am. Not in exhausting ‘prove’ mode, not trying to overly impress and not imitating the actions or behaviours of someone I am not. It has taken me a long time to appreciate this.
Secondly, I want to experience relationships with depth and unquestionable quality. You know by now how much I value relationships. When I'm ...
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